Pope John High Donations on the Rise

Since notifying families on
April 23, 2019 of a potential closing of Pope John XXIII High School at the end
of the academic calendar in June 2019 a number of distinguished alumni, parents
and families have worked together to ensure that the school would thrive not
just survive after the alleged criminal actions of Philip Morgaman, founder of
United Schools Association and International Residence Management, put the
school in financial jeopardy. Beginning that same day, following a plea to the
Archdiocese of Boston coordinated by principal Thomas Mahoney ’70, a new team
was formed to set a fundraising goal of $1.5 million and draft a new strategic
plan to ensure the viability of Pope John for years to come. With just less
than 2 weeks left before a decision is to be made of the school at 888 Broadway
in Everett, a working committee of distinguished alumni has been assembled to
use the school’s history, current demographic assessment, and resources to
develop a roadmap for success. This team has an extensive background at
prominent businesses in finance, wealth management, risk and project
management, and experience working with investors and on boards throughout the
community. Not only are they working swiftly to build a strategy, but to align
this product and process to the mission that was started by the Sisters of St.
Joseph and Cardinal Cushing in 1966. The current and prospective, registered
students at Pope John XXIII High School are the priority for this strategy. It
is the hope of the team and administration that these students in their care
will continue on with their Catholic education and will have a home at Pope
John in the fall of 2019, but also in the many years to come. The vision of
PJHS is to after graduating the 50th class on May 23rd.

In the first 14 days, under
the direction of Paul Sobolewski, athletic director, and Kelleyrobin Mulvihill,
director of development, outreach on social media to alumni, parents, and
friends of Pope John, raised nearly $76,000 in gifts and pledges. This
remarkable effort has been made by more than 325 donors to the #NotDeadYet
Facebook Challenge. The news media from all the major networks have carried the
story on their newscasts bringing Pope John’s story into living rooms around
the greater Boston area and inspiring viewers to reach out, donate, and call in
to help continue the Pope John legacy and offering of support to keep to the
school open. To that end, young alumni, parents, and faculty have initiated
events and activities to support the efforts of the working committee in the
coming weeks including a car wash that raised $3,000 and restaurant nights at
local businesses coming up this weekend. These activities will not only
contribute to the overall financial goals, but will reignite the family
environment and cultivate relationships that make PJHS a special place.

Finally, to keep up to date with everything
happening in the coming weeks, visit popejohnhs.org/notdeadyet and get
involved.